The start of a new year and a start to my new life here in France.I’ve actually been here now for 3 weeks and geting settled is all part of the adventure. I think that not a lot has happened, but in reality I have managed to do a fair bit and I am already feeling fairly well established in some sort of routine. The previous owners had left an old Christmas tree in the barn, so that was ressurected and decorated ASAP. Can’t have Christmas without a tree, can you?

Frugal my Christmas may have been but it was fun. Various people invited me for meals and lunches, and I was made very welcome.

Just a few days before Christmas I ended up going to Bergerac with a new friend, Sandy. She directed me to the SPA (Société de Protection des Animaux) where there was an abandoned dog waiting for my approval. I have wanted a dog for so long, but with work and living in a small appartment in Brisbane it wasn’t possible or practical. So, off we went. It was a great day out, stopping off for lunch in Riberac. We took the ‘Plat du Jour‘, usually good value and home cooked. The omelette was nice and tasty. The next plate arrived…Tête de veau. It turned out to be a plate of very little veal, a few vegetables in a lovely creamy sauce, and a HUGE amount of pure fat, and virtually raw! We both killed ourselves laughing, and wondered how anyone could survive a plate of soggy fat; cholesterol 0n a plate! We just couldn’t bring ourselves to eat it and mopped up everything else with copious amounts of bread. Madame enquired if all was OK…”Mais Oui, Merci“

The apple and cinnamon dessert was lovely as was the local wine. So, as we were leaving Madame asked again if all was OK. Yes, we said, but explained that there was too much fat and that we weren’t used to it. She was horrified and almost cried “Sacré Bleu“. She explained that it wasn’t fat, but gelatine from over the brain!!! Really, as if that makes any difference.

Anyway, we had places to go and we eventually found the SPA. And there he was…..my new dog. Oh what a delightful, happy and loving dog he was, tail wagging and the first thing he did was to jump up and put his paws around my neck. SMITTEN! (Me, that is)! There was no way I was going to be leaving him, so papers signed, money handed over and he hopped into the car. So. I present to you…….Hugo.

How anyone could have abandoned this lovely boy is beyond me. He is just adorable, friendly, docile and all he wants is hugs and some love. So far he won’t leave my side and I have a constant shadow. I guess he’s worried that he will be left again. He’s a 12 month old Labrador cross, but what with I have no idea…possibly Pointer. He is underweight and needs feeding-up and some exercise, which he’s getting plenty of.

So, my life has changed already, and for the good. Lots more to tell but that can wait for the next post. So, until then, Happy New Year to one and all